TMC's Saket Gokhale alleges Election Commission bias, raises concerns over fairness in WB bypolls
Kolkata: TMC MP Saket Gokhale has publicly criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over what he describes as alarming inaction and bias regarding key issues related to the upcoming bypolls in West Bengal. Gokhale revealed that on 8th November, the TMC had urgently requested a meeting with the full bench of the ECI to discuss serious concerns over the bypolls. However, despite continuous follow-ups, the ECI allegedly did not respond. By the morning of 9th November, TMC had escalated its efforts, sending a delegation of five MPs led by Floor Leaders from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to Delhi. When the delegation visited the ECI around 3 p.m. and submitted letters outlining their concerns, they were still met with silence.
According to Gokhale, the TMC’s worries centre around two critical issues. Firstly, he pointed to the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal, claiming that CAPF personnel are operating independently, without required cooperation with the local police—a violation of ECI protocols. Additionally, Gokhale stated that CAPF members have been visiting residents’ homes, threatening them to vote for the BJP. Secondly, Gokhale raised an issue over recent remarks by a BJP minister who reportedly told West Bengal Police officers to "remove the national emblem from your uniform and put a slipper instead," a statement he condemned as deeply disrespectful.
Gokhale expressed frustration that, despite TMC’s repeated efforts, the ECI responded only on 10th November, granting an appointment at 3:30 p.m., just 90 minutes before the campaign period ended. He asserted that this timing rendered the meeting almost pointless, leaving little time to address these urgent concerns before the close of campaigning.
Gokhale alleged that the ECI’s delayed response hints at an inclination to favour the BJP, facilitating interference in the electoral process. He described the situation as a “disturbing trend” in India’s democracy, expressing dismay over the apparent lack of fairness from an institution meant to safeguard impartial elections. Gokhale stressed that the ECI must remember its duty to uphold free and fair elections, not act as a tool for political interests.
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Bill to set up single higher education regulator likely to be tabled in Parliament next week
New Delhi (PTI): A Bill which seeks to set up a single regulator for institutions of higher education is required to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing, officials said.
The Bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament next week after it got the Union Cabinet's nod on Friday.
The proposed legislation, which was earlier christened the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, has now been named Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill.
A single higher education regulator, which was proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP), looks to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
"The Bill proposes to set up a Higher Education Commission of India to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy. It is likely to be introduced (in Parliament) in the coming week," an official said.
While the UGC presently oversees non-technical higher education in the country, the AICTE oversees technical education, while the NCTE is the regulatory body for teachers' education.
The Commission is proposed to be set up as a single higher education regulator, but medical and law colleges will not be brought under its ambit.
It is proposed to have three major roles -- regulation, accreditation and setting professional standards, officials said.
Funding, which is seen as the fourth vertical, is not proposed to be under the regulator so far. The autonomy for funding is proposed to be with the administrative ministry, they said.
